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Shattered Ice winced as Mudfur smeared marigold into the deep scratch he had acquired on his shoulder. He had to keep it clean and get Mudfur to change the herb dressing until it closed. Or it would get infected.
Silverstream entered the den, looking worriedly from him to Blackclaw, who lay in a nest, having been the worst off after the battle. "Are you guys okay?"
Shattered Ice snorted. "We're fine."
"I hate ThunderClan!" Blackclaw growled before dropping his head again.
Mudfur shook his head with a sigh. "Knowing my daughter, she won't give up Sunningrocks that easily."
"Then you'd better gather more herbs," Shattered Ice muttered. But he, like all his clanmates, wanted to get back at ThunderClan.
For a moment, Shattered Ice remembered his friend Jackdaw's Cry and all his other former tribemates and clanmates that had died under Thistlestar's orders. Then he shook his head and dug his claws into the ground.
I just want to drag my claws through Thistlestar's pelt! Make him feel the pain he gave to us!
*Later the day of the battle*
Cloud Tail trembled excitedly as he stood before Shadowstar. He had taken his final assessment first thing that morning and Deerfoot had deemed him good enough, which coming from the gray-brown tom was quite the compliment.
Now he stood before his leader with his clanmates gathered around, watching his ceremony. Rowanpaw mouthed a 'good job' to him while Rubblepaw shot him a grin. Quietpaw, Lavenderpaw and Cedarpaw just watched on as Turtlepaw glared at him.
Even if I'm older than her. I've trained longer than her… but she's always been bitter. I'll just have to get used to it.
He ignored the ache in his chest that yearned to be back in SkyClan where there would be nothing but proud smiles directed at him.
"Deerfoot, are you satisfied that Cloud Tail is worthy of his full warrior status?" Shadowstar's meow brought him back to the now.
"Yes."
Cloud Tail stepped forward as she beckoned him with her tail, hopping off the rock and staring up at the star-filled sky as the sun disappeared.
This was it. What he'd been waiting for all his life. He was going to be a warrior at last! But then his heart thumped painfully again. He always imagined this day being side-by-side with brave Owl Eyes and stubborn Sparrow Fur. He always imagined Fire Heart would condemn him, and Skystar's proud gaze on him. He always imagined Gray Wing grooming him for the last time as he earned his full status… as a SkyClan warrior.
He looked towards the medicine den where Pebble Heart sat by Runningnose, grinning brightly as always. At least he had one of his littermates here to witness his ceremony.
"I, Shadowstar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your code and I condemn him to you as a full warrior in his turn."
"Cloud Tail, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Cloud Tail took a deep breath and excitedly meowed, "I do."
"Then by the powers of StarClan I grant you your full status. Cloud Tail, StarClan honors your courage and independence and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan."
Cloud Tail felt his pride making a comeback and he purred as the whole Clan called his name, Pebble Heart being the loudest.
StarClan? They didn't help me get here! It was all my own work! For a moment Cloud Tail easily imagined his uncle's voice scolding him for his lack of belief.
"Congratulations!" The apprentices all ran over, including Turtlepaw. Pebble Heart was among them, licking his little brother's ears.
"I'm so proud of you!" The gray tabby purred. "Turtle Tail would be proud."
Cloud Tail pictured the kind tortoiseshell queen who had raised him and loved him as her own, and his eyes stung with emotion before he blinked it away.
I'll be the best warrior and make her proud.
"Now go sit your vigil while the rest of us sleep," Pebble Heart meowed. Cloud Tail rolled his eyes at his teasing and trotted to the center of the clearing.
He sat down and looked up at the stars. It seemed so long ago he was in the warmth of his kittypet mother's twoleg nest. And then he had the faintest memory of coldness when Fire Heart had taken him through the woods before he woke up to the SkyClan nursery, and his new littermates looking down on him.
He closed his eyes as the night breeze ruffled his fluffy pelt.
*Earlier that same day*
Owl Eyes felt excitement build up inside of him as he sat in the training clearing beside Sparrow Fur. Nettle and Skystar stood in front of them.
Today was their final assessment. Gray Wing was back at camp, organizing patrols as always, but he had wished them luck before they left. Fire Heart had started mentoring Snowkit with Raven Hope's help and the ThunderClan cats had visited them again before leaving.
They still had no true plan. So far they came up with deathberries to poison the dogs, but Cloud Spots had pointed out how that wasn't strong enough to slow them down and that they could still kill before the poison spread through their system.
Then they had thought of ambushing them from the trees… even Owl Eyes, daring as he could be sometimes, knew that was a horrible idea.
So they were stumped on how to get rid of the dogs. For now.
"First off," Skystar's voice snapped Owl Eyes out of his thoughts. "You will hunt. We will be monitoring you and your techniques as well as the amount you can catch." The leader had sent his actual apprentice, Birch, hunting with Thorn and Alder. "Off you two go."
Owl Eyes started to focus on his hunt and sped off in the direction of the Golden Meadow, spotting his tortoiseshell sister race off in the direction of the abandoned twoleg nest, ever the challenger. He silently wished her luck before focusing on his task.
The meadows were quiet as usual so he crouched on the roots of a tree, tail lax on the ground behind him. His big, amber eyes were narrowed with focus in front of him, waiting for any signs of life.
A squeak sounded from the roots of another tree nearby and he smelled vole. Three of them. He waited as one poked its nose out before emerging and scampering over to a stalk of grass.
Without missing a beat, Owl Eyes leaped and ended its life quickly with a killing bite. He heard a panicked squeak from inside the roots as the other two voles were startled. Another one raced out in panic and Owl Eyes pinned it with his paw.
Once he pushed it to the side, he waited for the final vole. It poked its nose out cautiously but didn't fully emerge, so thinking quickly Owl Eyes scooped it out with his claws before it could disappear farther into its shelter again.
Purring with satisfaction, the dark gray tom buried the voles and continued on with his hunt.
He looked up suddenly when he heard branches shaking and watched as Sparrow Fur chased a squirrel from tree to tree.
"Go sis!" He called.
"I've been chasing this thing from way back at the twoleg nest!" She yowled back in frustration as she continued on.
Owl Eyes shook his head, amused. When his sister found a good piece of prey she would never give it up that easily. She was gonna chase that squirrel all day if she had to.
Soon, Owl Eyes had a good stash of prey and returned to the hollow. Sparrow Fur arrived moments after him and out of breath, but she proudly held the plump squirrel in her jaws as well as a couple of mice and a big crow.
"I see you've both done well," Skystar purred proudly upon seeing their catches.
"You did fantastic," Nettle meowed at Sparrow Fur. "I saw you chase that squirrel without giving up." He glanced at Owl Eyes. "And you're waiting technique to catch those voles was great."
Owl Eyes grinned.
"Now onto your fighting assessment," Skystar announced. "You will both face off each other and then your own mentor."
Owl Eyes flexed his claws with anticipation and a bit of nervousness, but he was determined to pass.
He turned to Sparrow Fur who faced him from the opposite side. Skystar raised his tail and then dropped it.
Sparrow Fur immediately launched herself at Owl Eyes. The tom leaped over her and twisted around, grabbing her legs and pulling her down.
She slipped from his grasp like a fish and knocked her head into his chest, pinning him. Using his mass he shoved her off easily and the two siblings circled each other again.
Skystar paused them. "That was good. Save your energy for the next session, but I think you both have a good head and strategy when it comes to battle."
Owl Eyes nodded at Sparrow Fur and padded over to Skystar as she and Nettle walked a little ways away from them to the other side of the clearing.
Owl Eyes faced Skystar, nervous at facing off his leader, who was a great fighter. The cat he wanted to be like the most. Just do your best, he told himself and dropped into a defensive crouch as Skystar faced him.
"Begin when you're ready," Skystar meowed calmly and encouragingly. Owl Eyes took a deep breath and paused before he rushed forth.
Skystar crouched and when Owl Eyes leaped upwards, he reared onto his hindlegs to unbalance him. Owl Eyes twisted so that he landed on the ground instead, nearly avoiding being thrown off balance.
He immediately jumped onto Skystar's back as the tom was momentarily thrown off guard. Owl Eyes dropped his weight down on the leader, but Skystar was too strong and threw him off.
Owl Eyes scrambled to his paws and dodged to the side before Skystar could tackle him. He twisted as the leader went past and grabbed his tail.
He finally managed to pull him downwards and pin him to the ground. "Pinned ya!" He hopped off feeling triumph at his victory.
"Well done," Skystar panted as he got to his paws. Across from them Sparrow Fur trotted over with a smile. Nettle was beside her, fur dusty and ruffled. Owl Eyes guessed she had done just fine.
"I do believe you have both passed," Skystar meowed. "Let's get back to camp."
Owl Eyes and Sparrow Fur exchanged delighted looks and picked up their prey before following the two older toms back to camp.
Sparrow Fur stepped into camp after her brother and glanced around. Birch and Alder wrestled playfully outside as Thistle and Clover watched from a distance in awe. Leaf was sharing tongues with Milkweed. Cinder Flower was telling Ivy Breeze a dramatic story with crazy gestures and all, making the gray tabby laugh.
On the other side of the clearing near the medicine den, Cloud Spots and Acorn Fur whispered to each other while observing Snowkit who watched Fire Heart with wide eyes as the flame-colored tom made gestures with his paws and tail. His mate, Raven Hope, sat beside him purring indulgently as Snowkit yowled something excitedly and made gestures of his own.
Air Leap sat outside the warriors den talking with Blossom when he spotted them and bounded over, eyes shining.
"Did you pass?"
"Yep!" Sparrow Fur purred.
"Awesome!" Lightning Tail yowled as he raced over, bumping into Owl Eyes and nudging Sparrow Fur. Thunder and Ash Blaze were behind him, both young warriors purring their congratulations to their cousins.
"Let all cats old enough to hunt gather for a Clan meeting!"
Sparrow Fur burst forth past the cats surrounding her and stopped in the center under Flat Boulder. Owl Eyes followed, giving a few licks to his pelt as he joined her. Gray Wing hailed them at the front, licking their ears.
"I'm so proud of you!" He purred, gazing at them proudly. "You've finally made it! I knew you would."
Sparrow Fur smiled as their father stepped back and sat at the foot of the Flat Boulder. But then her smile faltered a bit. "Cloud Tail should be with us…"
Owl Eyes nodded beside her and meowed, "We'll see him at the next Gathering, I guess. Maybe he'll be a warrior too."
"I, Skystar, leader of SkyClan, call upon my ancestors to look down on these two apprentices. They have trained long and hard and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn."
Skystar hopped off the Flat Boulder and approached the pair. "Sparrow Fur, Owl Eyes, do you promise to uphold the code and to protect and defend your Clan even at the cost of your lives?"
"I do!" Owl Eyes immediately responded, eager.
"I do," Sparrow Fur managed to meow calmly, though her tail bristled with excitement.
"Then by the powers of StarClan," Sparrow Fur swore she heard doubt in her uncle's voice at the word of 'StarClan,' "I give you your full statuses."
"Owl Eyes, StarClan honors your strength and bravery and we welcome you as a full warrior of SkyClan." Skystar stepped forward, resting his muzzle on the gray tom's head and Owl Eyes licked his shoulder in turn.
"Sparrow Fur, StarClan honors your independence and spirit and we welcome you as a full warrior of SkyClan."
Sparrow Fur licked the leader's shoulder as he pressed his muzzle on her head. She stepped back and relished in the moment as everyone cheered their names.
Gray Wing immediately rushed forward again and licked their ears, and instead of pushing away, Sparrow Fur allowed herself to be a kit again in that moment as her father groomed her.
I'm proud to have him as my father… and I know Mother is watching over us. I hope we've made her proud too.
Yay, they're finally warriors! Next chapter will be longer but I had to include this, of course and it would have been too much to add to the previous chapter.
Reviews would be appreciated.